West Lafayette coach David Wood was one of Keady's assistants at the time. He remembers Rea making a rare impression during the traditional 6 a.m. walk-on tryout.

"In the three years I was there he was the only one who made the team from that walk-on tryout," Wood said. "What I remember is we did a full-court defensive drill, one-on-one, and he took the ball from some kid four or five times.

"We felt we needed somebody who could challenge Everette Stephens in practice with some quickness. That's why he made the team."

Rea was in his second season as coach of Gary Lighthouse CPA at the time of his death. He coached Bowman Academy to a run of five state championship game appearances in four years, winning a Class A state title in 2010 and a 3A title in 2013.

Wood, who said he occasionally exchanged videos or scouting reports with Rea, said those Bowman teams mirrored their coach's personality.

"They were going to pressure you full court," Wood said. "They were going to make you handle the ball. Very up-tempo from an offensive and a defensive standpoint, and if you weren't prepared to deal with that, you were going to get run out of the gym.

"He didn't deviate. He didn't change his way for anybody. If you were able to withstand that then from his standpoint, more power to you, But a lot of people couldn't."